Pray for the extension of the Legion of Mary for thirteen days, from the feast of St. Bernadette (April 16) to the feast of St Louis Marie de Montfort (April 28)The Akron Central Curia, part of the Cleveland Comitium, received through its Spiritual Director a thirteen-day prayer for extension of the Legion of Mary. The prayer, which begins this Thursday April 16th, is a prayer for the growth and strengthening of the Legion of Mary in our Diocese of Cleveland. The prayer has historical roots. The Legion of Mary came to France in 1940 with brand-new legionary Veronica O'Brien, who made the last boat to make the crossing from Ireland before the Nazi occupation of France, and who took shelter in the convent at Nevers (the convent of St. Bernadette). Connected not only to St. Bernadette but also to St. Louis Marie de Montfort, she founded 800 Praesidia. Here is the prayer: pray it beginning Thursday April 16 (the feast day of St. Bernadette) through Tuesday April 28 (the feast day of St. Louis Marie de Montfort).Dear St. Bernadette, Chosen of Almighty God as a channel of His graces and blessings, we implore you to listen to our pleading prayers and place our petition in the hands of Holy Mother Mary so that she may place them at the feet of her beloved Son Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that He may look on us with mercy and compassion. Intercede for us then as we pray for the growth and strengthening of the Legion of Mary in our diocese. O Ever-Virgin Mother of God and Mediatrix of All Graces, who art House of Gold, within which dwells Your Son, our Mediator Jesus Christ, we humbly beseech you to grant our requests for the growth and strengthening of your Legion for the salvation of souls. Keep us close to the Vicar of Your Son in the unity of the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman Church. Hear our prayer and grant this request we make to you. St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, patron of the Legion of Mary, loving slave of Jesus in Mary, pray for us! Apostle for the end times, pray for us! Apostle of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us! Powerful intercessor before the throne of God, hear our prayer! May God grant that, through your example and intercession, those who make the Consecration find the Legion of Mary to be the answer to living it out, and that, all present legionaries be renewed in the spirit of their baptism and faithfully serve Jesus through Mary. We ask this in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ Who liveth and reigneth through the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.